Dried shelled lentils market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

The Ethiopian dried shelled lentils market grew from 156 thousand tons in 2018 to 260 thousand tons in 2020. This expansion was primarily fueled by a sharp increase in imports, which supplemented domestic production. During this period, research and development efforts focusing on lentil breeding and disease resistance, including international collaborations, supported yield improvements and helped maintain production volumes.

Following the 2020 peak, market volume declined to 173 thousand tons by 2023. Domestic production faced persistent challenges linked to low productivity and weak seed systems, leading to reduced local output. Historically noted volatility in lentil harvests further contributed to supply fluctuations, while strong domestic consumption continued to absorb most of the production, sustaining import needs albeit at a lower scale.

More recent developments include policy support through climate-smart crop rotation incentives, which began influencing the integration of lentils into farming systems and contributed to a production recovery in 2023. Furthermore, new legislative factors emerged, such as strict labeling mandates for feed products and a ban on public transportation affecting supply chain logistics in 2024, introducing additional operational considerations for market participants.

Production dried shelled lentils in Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Ethiopia ranked as the 10th largest producer of dried shelled lentils between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of dried shelled lentils, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled lentils, 2017-2020

In 2020, Ethiopia produced 131.6 K t of dried shelled lentils, marking a significant decrease of 19.4% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 29%, which translates to an annualized decline of 10.8%. The only increase during this period occurred in 2019, with a modest gain of 5.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports dried shelled lentils from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Ethiopia exported 0.1 K t of dried shelled lentils, representing a sharp increase of 38.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports surged by 236 202.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1 232.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Djibouti and the United Arab Emirates were the primary export destinations for dried shelled lentils in volume terms, together accounting for 93.3% of total exports. The remaining share was distributed among other markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Ethiopia's cross-border shipments of dried shelled lentils amounted to 71 K $ US, up by 175.1% from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 247 652.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1 253.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ethiopia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, two markets—Djibouti and the United Arab Emirates—dominated Ethiopia's exports of dried shelled lentils in value terms, jointly capturing 92.0% of total flows. The rest was spread across other destinations.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Ethiopia in value, 2017-2020

Imports dried shelled lentils to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for dried shelled lentils in Ethiopia showed considerable volatility from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.4 K t and peaked in 2020 at 128.4 K t, representing a 327-fold difference. In 2020, imports stood at 128.4 K t, a rise of 171.2% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 92.6%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, soaring by 11 968.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates (44.8% of imports in volume), Turkey (19.7%), and India (16.6%) were consistently the main sources for Ethiopia's imports of dried shelled lentils in kind, together making up 81.1% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Ethiopia's import market for dried shelled lentils in value terms displayed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. Imports fell to their lowest point in 2018 at 288 K $ US and hit their maximum in 2020 at 55 676 K $ US, a fluctuation of 193 times. In 2020, imports amounted to 55 676 K $ US, indicating a sharp uptick of 54.8% from 2019. The largest decline was in 2018, dropping by 95.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, surging by 12 370.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ethiopia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, the United Arab Emirates (54.9% of imports in value terms), Canada (11.7%), and India (9.0%) remained the key partners for Ethiopia's imports of dried shelled lentils in monetary terms, collectively accounting for 75.5% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Ethiopia in value, 2017-2020